Control system



Jan.i,i929.

C. A. MARTIN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 6, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet Jan. 1, 1929, 1,697,432

C. A. MARTIN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 6, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W WK Jan. i, 1929. 1,97,432

c. A. MARTIN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 6, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 o o o) O OoooooFo o 0"- qoo o 2 57 59 If ch one 5/6 [ZZZ/22220.71

M42 5 a ffQ/"fZ/Z Jan. 1, 1929.

v c. A. MARTIN CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Augr6, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet v 4 Patented Jan. 1, 1929.

PATENT common SYSTEM.

Application filed August c.1925. ScrialNo. 48,592.

My invention relates to control systems, and more particularly to systems of this character in which the flow of fluid is suit ably controlled. y

My invention contemplates means for automatically controlling theflow of any fluid through a pipe, and'in addition contemplates means whereby the fluid may be suitably heated. i

My invention further contemplates means whereby the flow of two unlike fluids may be so controlled that a-suitable ratio is maintained whenthese fluids are brought together into a mixture, which mixture may belof any form, that is, chemical or phvsicah My invention further contemplates means whereby inequalities in the flow or loss of uniformity of flow may be compensated for so as toautomatically bring about such. changes as will again secure the uniformity of flow. I

Various other features of, my invention will be apparent 'from" the various embodiments thereof which I will now describe in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which,--

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of a valve constructed in accordancewith my invention; j Y

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, show-] ing in addition means for heating the fluid;

Fi '3 is a side view, partially in section, of a difl erent form of structure for performing the functions of the structure of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side view, partly in section, of a double valve structure; i

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of valve-controlling structure;

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are also different forms of' valve-controlling structures; y V

Fig. 9 shows my improved valve-control ling structure in connection with means for controlling the source of supply; and p Fig. 10 shows? my improved valve-com trolling means in connection with indicating means. 1

Referring more; particularly to Fig. 1, I' show a valve casing 1Q having a suitable web 11 whoseport 12 is controlled by a valve 13. This valve is mounted uponv a suitable stem 14 mounted uponthe extremity of'an expansible tube 15. This ex ansible tube,fat its opposite extremity, is astened into the cap 16, closing theextremity of the'tube 17 fastened to the valve casing 10. A suitable *is dependent upon the amount of heating due element 18 is provided for heating atube l5,

heating element 18 is mounted-.mithin the tube "15, this heating element having terminals 19 and 20 which can be suitably supplied with current as may be required. Whenever the element 18 is heated, the tube 15 expands and closes the valve 13. It will be seen from this arrangement that the degree of opening or closing of the valve 13 to the heating element 18.

Referringnow to Fig. 2, I show a valve 21 which controls the opening at the extremity of the tube 22, which tube, at its opposite extremity, has an outlet pipe 23. A heating similar to the structure disclosed'in F ig. 1. In this particular form, however (Fig. 2), the fluid which is to becontrolled bythe valve 21 passes into the tube 22 upon the 1 opening of the valve 21, and is then caused to flow throughout the length of this tube' 22 in close contact with the heated tube 15,

so thatthe fluid, in addition to being con I trolled quantitatively, is also thermally 0011-;

-"."8" It follows from this that if a given four trolled.

rent flows through coil 18 and the velocity of flow of the fluid increases for an given reason such as a change in pressure, t at this more-rapid flow will more rapidly conduct heat away from the tube 15 tothereby-cool it and decrease the opening of the valve.

In other words, a change in the rate of flow causes a change in the position of the valve.

7 In connection with Fig. 5 and other figures to be presently explained, the effect due to the changes in the initial temperature ofthe fluid. are compensated for by regulating the valve due to differences in temperature of the fluid before and after heating.

In Fig. 3, I show a similar structure, with the modification, however, that the tube 15 of Fig. 2 is displaced by a corrugated tube '24 in order to obtain greater expansion effects.

In Fig. 4, I show a form in which my improved valve structure may be employed. In this particular figure I show a duct 25, which may be an air duct, and I show a pipe Price.

1 CHARLES A. MARTIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. I

as I i 26, which ma for instance, be an oil or gasoline duct. y improved apparatus is carried by a box-like structure 27. In this struc ture I mount two expansible tubes 28 and 29,

respectively, each having their so arate heating" elements 18, the tubes 28 an 29, respectively, terminating in openings 30 and 31, in

which openings they are slidable. The duct united to another link 35. The pipe 26 alsov has a valve similar to the valve 32, but which is not shown, which valve is movable by means of the lever 36, which lever is adjustably connected with the link 37, said link 37 in turn being adjustablyconnected with the link 35.- If it is now desired to control the position of the valves in the duct 25 and pipe 26, then the heating elements in the tubes 28 and 29 are heated. If, for instance, the tube 28 is not heated, whereas the tube 29 is heated, then the link 35 is swung contra-clockwise, thus to efl'ect a greater opening of the two valves. This link- 35 is connected to the tubes 28 and 29, respectively, by the pins 38 and 39. Now if it is desired to bring the valves back totheir original position, as shown, for instance, in the illustration, then the heating of the'element within the tube 29 is discontinued. If then it is desired to further close the valves, tube 29 is not heated, but tube 28 is heated, which will swing the link 35 clockwise, to thereby effect this result. It will be noted that the valves are first set into a normalposition through the agency of the adjustable con nections between the levers 33 and 36 and 'the flow through the tube 40, as might be oc- '42 is retarded, and thereupon the fluid remains'for a longer period of time in the heating chamber 43, thus heating it to'a greater extent, whereupon the more highly heated fluid in the leg 42 causes increased expansion, thus to open the valve controlled by the lever 44. In this way a greaterpressure is exerted and: the flow of fluid may berestored practicallyto normal. 1 v i In Fig. 6, I show. this system of heating applied-t0 the larger duct 50, having the valve 51. In that I utilize two tubes 52 and .53, which project into the duct, one having an intake-mouth 54 pointing to the left, and the other a discharge mouth 55 pointing to the I right; In this way the flow through the .duct controls the valve, but unlike the struc ture of Fig. 5, only a portion of the fluid is utilized to bring about this result, as only a portion of the fluid passes through the tubes 52 and 53. The velocity of the flow through "the duct 50,. of course, also controls the amount; of fluid passing through the tubes 52 and 53, both bythe increased pressure exerted against the intake mouth 54 and the suction which is caused at the discharge mouth 55.

In Fig.7, Ishow a further modified form of structure, in which the duct 56 and pipe '57 again conduct fluids, but-the valve structhe links 34, 35 and 37. Then the valves may tures controlled by the links 58 and 59 are by controlled so as to assume either a more both controlled by the conditions of the flow.

- closed or a more open position, depending of the fluid through the pipe 57, the control upon the manner and degree of heating of the tubes 28 and29. The. heating of these tubes can, of course, be suitably controlled due to any conditions either at the intake or exlever, through the agency of the links 45 and.

46, is controlled by the relative expansion be tween the upstanding legs 41 and 42, the-link 46 being connected to the elements 4land 42 through the agency o'f-the pins 47 and 48. Within the heating chamber 43,- I provide a heating element 49. In this articular form of the device, it will be note thatlthe fluid pasing up through an unheated con 'tion, whereas that same the leg 41 is as yet inf features being the same as lllustrated in connectionwith Fig. 5. v

In. Fig. 8, the' duct 56 and pipe 57 are again controlled somewhat similarly to. the control shown in Fig. 7, with this further modification that separate and distinct heatin devices are utilized to control the two valves controlled respectively, by thelevers 5 8. and 59. When the rate of flow through the valve controlled by the lever 59 is changed by increasing or decreasing the supply of heat within the heating chamber 60, a corresponding change in the rate of flow through the heating chamber 61 takes place. As the potential-across the terminals of the heating elements within the heating chamber remains practically constant, the'heat' transmitted to the leg 62 will increase its temperature inversely proportional to the rate of flow through the said tube 62. As the temperature increase of the tube 62 becomes greater when the flow through the said tube becomes less, then the link 63 is moved clockwise, and thevalve controlled'thereby is moved further toward its closed position. VVl1'en the flow fluid passing down through, the leg .42 has through the tube 62 increases, which therebeen heated. The arral-lgeiment is such that upon causes operation of the link- 63 downwhenever the flow of fluid is normal the valve wa rdly, the valve controlled, thereby is retains its predetermined normal position. opened. The opening of the valvecontrolled Should, however there be some stoppage of by the lever 58 is therefore proportional to the flow throu h the tube 62 and the valve controlled by t e lever 59. The increase in the opening of the valve controlled by the lever 58, therefore depends upon the condition of flow through pipe 57.

In Fig. 9, I show a'structure similar to that of F ig.'5 with this further addition, that a pump 64- suitably controlled by .a varia-ble speed motor 65 is o erated in proportion to the degree of heating of the element" 49. In other words, as current iss'upplied v to the element'49, currentis supplied to the motor 65, and this control'may' be suitably efi'ected by a switch arm 66 either manually or automatically controlled. -,The object of usingthis proportional speed motor'65 in conjunction with the valve is to control the ratio of flow of two or more liquids, vapors or gases. The flow through the valve: con-= trolled by the lever 44 is proportional to the 1 watts input inv the heating chamber 43, while other device the flow resulting from the operation of the proportional speed motor is proportional to the watts input in the said motor. The motor may operate a blower,- pump, or any for forcing the flow of liquid, vapor or gas through one or more valves in addition.

In Fig. 10, I show a cont-r01 structures'omewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 9, but 'I utilize the relative expansion difference to control a lever 67, which lever is adapted to tilt a tube 68 having two sets of terminals therein, respectively, the terminals 69, 7 0','and

' the terminals 71, 72. A drop of mercury 7 3 is adapted to close the. circuit between either pair of terminals, depending upon the tilt of the tube 68; An-indicating device 74, having the two coils 7 5 and 76, and supplied with current by the battery77, indicates the tilt of the tube 68, thus to indicate the relative condition of temperature between the legs 41 and 42.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A device of the character describedcomprising two valves, each valve controlling a fluid passage, and-means controlled by the thermal condition of the fluid in one passage to open andclose both valves in unison whereby a definite ratio of flow may be maintained between the fluids in the two passages.

2. A device of the character described coni whereby the expansion and contraction of said tube due to the thermal condition of the fluid therein controls said valve.

4. A device'of the character described comprisinga valve, a passageway for conducting a fluid, I electric .means associated with said passageway at a given placetliereof for heating the fluid passin said means, and expan- I sibl'e, and contractible meansresponsive to the thermal condition-of Jsaid heated fluid for controlling said' valve.

5. A device of the character described comprising a valve, a passageway for conducting 'a" fluid, electric means associated" with said. 0'

passageway at a given place thereof for heating the fluid passing said means, and expansible and contractible means responsive to the diflerence in thermalcondition of said heated and unheated fluids for controlling said valve.

6. A device of the character described comprising a valve, a pas'sagewa'y for conducting a fluid, the flow of fluid through which is controlled by said valve, electric means, associated with said passageway at a given place thereof for heating the fluid passing said means, and 'expansible and contractible means'responsive to the thermal condition of said heated fluid for controlling-said valve.

- 7. A device of the character described com-' prisin a tube, a valve for controlling, the flow 0? fluid through said tube, electric heating means at an intermediate portion of said tube for heating the fluid pass ng said means, and means whereby the expansionand contraction of said tube dueto the thermal condition of the fluid therein controls said valve. .R

8. A device of the. character described c'om prising a valve, means adapted by expansion i and contraction to control themovementsof said valve, said means being in contact with fluid passing said means so that said means is responsive tothe rate of-flow and thermal conductivity ofsaid fluid, and means for heating said fluid while it is passing said expans'ible and contractiblemeans. I I

9. A device of the character described comprising a valve, a fluid duct, expansible and contractible means responsive to the thermal characteristics of the fluid in said duct for controlling said valve and electric means for heating said expansible and contractible means. i

' 10. A device of the character described for controlling the rate of flow of fluid thru a conduit, comprising a valve, and-expansible and contractible means responsive to the thermal condition of said fluid for operating said valve towards the open position for a decrease in the flow of said fluid and towards the closed position for an increase in the flow of said fluid and means in saidconduit for changing the thermal condition of c said fluid. v

11. A device. of the character described for controlling the flow of fluid thru a conduit, comprising a valve and expansible and contractible means responsive to the thermal condition of said fluid for operating said valve towards the open position for a decrease in the flow of said fluid and towards the closed 'position for an increase in the flow of said fluid and means for heating said fluid.

'12., A device of the character described for controlling the flow of fluid thru a conduit, comprising a valve and expansible and contractible means responsiveto the thermal condition of said fluid for operating said valve towards the open position for a decrease in the flow of said fluid and towards the closed position for an increase in the flow of said fluid and electric means for heating said fluid.

'13. Apparatus of the character described for automatically controlling the quantity of flow of a fluid thru a conduit, comprising a valve, expansible and contractible means responsive to the flow of said fluid for operating said valve towards the open position for a decrease in the flow of said fluid and towards the closed osition for an increase in the flow of said fluid and electric means for continu- .ously heating the first aforesaid means.

' 14. Apparatus for automatically controlling the rate of flow of fluid thru a conduit,

' comprising meansindependent of rate of flow tractible means responsive to the rate of flow of said fluid for a predetermined rate of application of heat to said fluid.

16. Apparatus for automatically controlling the rate of flow of a fluid thru a conduit,

comprising means independent of the rate of flow of said fluid for applying heat to said fluid, a valve for controlling the flow of said fluid, expansible and contractible means responsive to the thermal conditions of said fluidfor operating said valve towards the open position for a decrease in the'rate of flow of said fluid and towards the closed position for an increase in the rate of flow of said fluid.

17. Apparatus for automatically control- 4 ling the rate of flow of a-fluid thru a conduit,

comprising electric means independent of the rate of flow of said fluid for applying heat to said fluid, a valve for controlling the flow of said fluid, expansible and contractible means responsive to the thermal conditions of said fluid for operating said valve towards the open position for a decrease in the flow of said fluid and towards the closed position for an increase in the flow of said fluid.

18. Apparatus of the character described for controlling the rate of flow of a fluid thru a conduit, comprising a valve for controlling the flow of said fluid, said valve operated by the difference in expansion between two elements both responsive to the thermal conditions of said fluid and means for continuously maintaining one of said elements at a higher temperature than the other of said elements.

19. Apparatus of the character described.

for controlling the rate of flow of a fluid thru a conduit, comprising a valve for controlling the flow of said fluid, said valve operated by the diflerence in expansion between two elements r'esponsiveto the thermal conditions of said fluid and electric means for continuously heating one of said elements.

20. Apparatus of the character described I for controlling the quantity of flow of fluid thru a conduit, comprising a valve for con trolling the flowof said fluid, said valve operated by the difierence in expansion between two elements having the same total expansion per unit change in temperature, said elements responsive to thethermal conditions of said fluid and electric means for continuously heating one of-said expansion elements.

21. Apparatusozf the character described for controlling the quantity of flow of a fluid thru a conduit, comprising a valve for controlling the flow of said fluid, said valve operated by the difference in expansion between "two elements having the same coeflicient of expansion, said elements responsive to the thermal conditions of said fluid and means for heating said fluid after passing one of said expansion elements to increase its tempera-' him before passing .the vother of said expansion elements.

22. Apparatus ofthe character described for controlling the rate of flow of fluid thru a conduit, comprising a. valve for controlling the flow of said fluid, said valve operated by the difference in expansion between two elements, one of said elements responsive to the thermal condition of said fluid before heatingand the other of said elements responsive to the thermal condition of said fluid after heating and electric means for heating said'fluid.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 27th day of July A. D., 1925 CHARLES A. MARTIN.

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